Making a hammer handle ?? (general discussion)

My Son in law is a lineman, he had a big, new hammer that he broke the handle out of. They have to be wood ( COOP's rules for electrical work ) It is a big hammer, about twice normal size. Almost like a small ax handle.

I was thinking about making a replacement for him out of Osage Orange (hedge). I also have hickory and ash on the farm.

My question, Is it better to use the exact center of a limb? Or use the surrounding grain.

I cut one blank out of a limb about 6" in diameter, but when I got it squared up I noticed a fine split going right down the center of both ends. That is what got me to wondering if maybe the edges of a log would be better, or stronger.